India -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Missions -- India
Mr Hocken has given the following account: "On Saturday evening,
October 25th, Mr Haigh, Mrs Hocken and myself went from the
Mission-house to see old Daniel. We found him lying on a mat, and
covered with a white cloth. He appeared unconscious of our presence,
and murmured as one in a dream, `Jesu, Swamy, (Lord), take me to Thy
feet.' It was some time before he could understand who we were, and
then he cried because he could not see us. The villagers crowded round
the door, and watched us with almost deathly silence. I tried to draw
the old man into conversation, but his mind wandered. At intervals he
prayed fervently to Jesus, lingering over, and repeating many times, the
name of Jesus. His mind seemed to be continually running on the thought
that he should soon be with Jesus. We prayed, and made preparations for
giving him the Lord's Supper. As soon as I put the sacramental bread
into his hand, a flash of devout _joy_ lighted up his face, and he
lifted the bread reverently to his mouth. It was a very affecting sight
to see this worthy old Christian taking the Sacrament for the last time.
All his family were deeply moved. When we took leave of him he started
as he took my wife's hand. He said, `This is a little one, whose is
it?' They told him it was Mrs Hocken's. The old man bent over it and
blessed her."
A few days after this, while the Missionaries were away from Goobbe,
Daniel died; and the Catechist gives the following account: "On the day
of his death he appeared to be much better; his hearing and his sight
were both partially restored. He could see anyone moving about the
room. In the morning, being conscious that he was dying, he asked that
all his people might come around him, and when they had assembled he
exhorted them all to follow him to heaven. He said, `Give my salaam to
the Missionaries, and tell them I die happy; my heart is full of love to
God.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep."
THE END.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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